Filling mixer device for shuttleless loom



T. s. HIGGINS 3,393,710 FILL ING MIXER DEVICE FOR SHUTTLELESS LGOM' July 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1966 THEODORE SHmscm-s July 23, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS 3,393,710

FILLING MIXER DEVICE FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOM Filed Sept. 9, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N THEODORED-HIGGINS ATTORNEY FILLING MIXER DEVICE FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOM Filed Sept. 9, 1966 s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. THEODORE S-HIGGINS ATTORNEY July 23, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS 3,393,710

FILLING MIXER DEVICE FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOM Filed Sept. 9, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

0% INVENTOR. THEODORE SHIGGINS B QM MAM ATTORNEY July 23, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS FILLING MIXER DEVICE FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 9, 1966 INVENTOR. THEODORE SHIGGINS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,393,710 FILLING MIXER DEVICE FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOM Theodore S. Higgins, Woonsocket, R.I., assignor, by mesne assignments, to John Donald Marshall, and Horace L. Bomar, trustees Filed Sept. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 578,271 4 Claims. (Cl. 139-122) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A filling mixer for shuttleless looms having means for drawing filling yarn from two separate sources through feeding stations individual thereto which are alternately oscillated from an inactive position to one where the yarn is presented to the means for inserting it into the sheds formed by warp threads.

The present invention pertains to shuttleless looms of the type adapted to introduce filling from an outside source into the warp sheds by means of reciprocating flexible yarn carrying members. More particularly the invention pertains to filling mixer means whereby lengths of filling yarn may be withdrawn and woven alternately from two sources.

For reason of standardizing woven goods as to appearance, weight, color, etc., it is often desirable to intermix filling into the warp sheds by alternating between two spun strands of yarn. This has been accomplished successfully in the common fly-shuttle loom by two shuttles being vertically movable for alternate selection and actuation. Looms speeds and thereby the fabric production have been comparatively low with this method.

In shuttleless looms of the type mentioned above, production speeds have been increased considerably and it has been thought advisable to endeavor to weave intermixed filling on such machines. In the US. patent application Ser. No. 460,380 to T. S. Higgins et al., filed lune 1, 1965, now U.S. Patent No. 3,323,556, disclosure is made of mechanism for selectively inserting filling from a plurality of outside sources. This device is adapted to select by patterning means any one of four yarns and to weave for any predetermined period of time before selecting another. The mechanism necessary for performing this objective is more involved than that needed for presenting but two strands of yarn for weaving at equal alternate intervals.

It is therefore, a general object of the invention to devise a simplified filling mixer for a loom of the type above cited for alternately weaving from two outside sources of supply.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a filling mixer which shall operate successfully at the increased speeds now possible with this type of loom.

It is another object of this invention to devise a filling mixer having dual feeding stations which oscillate into position by positive low-angle camming action.

It is a still further object to provide a mechanism for the purpose intended which may be easily and accurately set and be of light weight construction for long life expectancy.

It is a further object of the invention to devise an oscillatably movable filling mixer having yarn feeding means whereby yarn strands are held in separation, obviating the possibility of snarling or frictional contact.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are disclosed.

In shuttleless looms such as those manufactured by Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass, it is well known to insert to the warp sheds filling as drawn from large "ice packages which are supported at one or both sides of the loom. Insertion is effected by filling carriers fixed on flexible tapes which reciprocate into and out of the opened shed. One such carrier makes contact with the properly presented end of filling and draws it into the shed where the second carrier takes it the remaining distance. Reference to US. Patent No. 2,654,399 will give a more complete understanding of the filling control mechanism. This portion of the mechanism is not claimed as novel in the instant application but is used in a known manner in conjunction with the filling mixer as it presents one of two feeding stations to the inserting carrier.

The two feeding stations, each of which oscillate between a. feeding position and a non-feeding position are similar to those feeding stations disclosed in the abovementioned patent application, Ser. No. 460,380, now US. Patent No. 3,323,556. The instant invention is concerned primarily with mechanism for alternately placing two filling feeding stations into feeding position and control of both pieces of filling yarn extending from the sources of supply.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea as shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shuttleless loom filling control having a mixer device in position thereon;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation of the mixer device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the mixer actuating parts shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the oscillatable indexing heads which contain the dual feeding stations showing their relation to the filling carrier and the warp shed;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the filling yarn supply and the feeding means for holding the strands in separation;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the friction bracket portion of the indexing head; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cutter bracket portion of the indexing head.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a filling control mechanism generally designated 20 is enclosed in a casing 21 secured to the right-hand end of a breast beam 22 which is supported in a usual manner by a loomside 23. The filling control mechanism 20 is shown in FIG. 1 in dotted lines as this mechanism forms no part of the instant invention. Its mode of operation is clearly set forth in US. Patent Nos. 2,654,399 and 3,323,556 cited above and will not be repeated here except for those points necessary for complete disclosure. In this preferred embodiment the mechanism is placed at the right-hand end of the loom. It is possible to change the position to the opposite side or even to have a filling control and mixer device on each side should that condition be desirable.

A continually rotating shaft 24 in the control mechanism 20 (FIG. 1) has fixed at the outwardly extending end thereof a driving spur gear 25. An idle gear 26 meshing with spur gear 25 is freely rotatable on a fixed stud 27. A driven gear 28 is mesh with the idle gear 26 is of a size to produce one half the revolving speed of the gear 25. The driven gear 28 rotates on a second fixed stud 29 which with the stud 27 is fixedly supported by a bracket 30 fastened to the casing 21 by screws 31 and 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

A cam 33 is fixed for rotation with the gear 28 by screws 34 and 35 (FIG. 2) extending through adjusting slots 36 and 37 (FIG. 3). The slots allow rotation of the cam 33 relative to the gear 28 angularly in excess of one gear tooth for adjusting purposes. The cam 33 will continually rotate while the loom is operating and will drive the mixer device to be subsequently explained. The cam 33 is formed with a cam rise 38 and a diametrically opposed cam fall 39 separated by two generally semicirclar cam rest areas 40 and 41. The gear 28 and cam 33 are held in position upon the stud 29 by any convenient means as by a collar 42 and locking ring (FIG. 3).

A lever 44 having a hub 45 at its lower end is pivotally held on the stud 27 by a collar 46 and locking ring 47. The lever 44 has an upwardly extending long arm 48 and an upwardly extending short arm 49. A cam follower roller 50 is rotatably held between the short arm 49 and an intermediate point on the long arm 48 by locking rings 51 and 52 (FIG. 3). The cam follower roller 50 in responding to the cam 33, will reciprocate the arm 48 between two radial positions in time relationship with the operation of the loom during each revolution. The arm 48, being three or four times as long as the arm 49, will pivot through a much longer arc than that of the initiating follower roller 50.

The arm 48 is connected to one end of an adjustable linkage rod 53 and also has a tension spring 54 hooked to a stationary bracket 55 for urging the roller 50 against the cam 33 (FIG. 2).

The bracket 30 journals in suitable bearings one end .of a mixer shaft 56. The other end of the shaft 56 is similarly journaled in a bracket 57 attached to the inward side of the casing 21 (FIG. 1). Extending upwardly from the bracket 30 are two separated fingers 58 and 59 each carrying an inwardly directed adjusting screw 60 and 61 for limiting the space therebetween (FIGS. 1 and 2). A mixer lever 62 is tightened to the mixer shaft 56 (FIG. 3) and extends upwardly for connection with the linkage rod 53. It will be noted that the movement imparted to the lever 44 by the follower 50 will be transferred through the linkage to the shaft 56. Because the length of the mixer lever 62 nearly equals that of the short arm 49, the longer arm 48 will offer greater angular displacement to the shaft 56.

To control the extent of oscillation a collar 63 is pinned to the shaft 56 (FIG. 3) adjacent to the bracket 30. Securely fastened to the upper surface of the collar as by welding is an extension arm 64 which serves as a stop member by abutting the adjusting screws 60 and 61 when the shaft 56 is oscillated (FIG. 1). A downwardly directed spring plunger 65 is threaded through the arm 64 to bear upon the ridged surface of a friction block 66 (FIG. 3) which is fastened by a screw 67 to the bracket 30 between the fingers 58 and 59. The angle formed by either surface of the block 66 and the axis of the plunger 65 is less than ninety degrees so that the extension arm is urged against either one of the adjusting screws 60 or 61.

Fastened near the inward end of the mixer shaft 56 is a segment .gear 68 which is constantly in mesh with a driven gear 69 formed upon the indexing head shaft 70 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Carried separated on the shaft 70 is a friction bracket, generally designated 71, and a cutter bracket, generally designated 72, both of which will be oscillated by the action of the shaft 70. The bracket 57 supports the shaft 70 for oscillation in bearings 73 and 74. The friction bracket 71 and cutter bracket 72 contain the yarn controlling instrumentalities which form two yarn feeding stations for presenting two sources of filling yarn alternately for weaving. The feeding stations herein do not differ from those disclosed in the patent application cited above for a Selective Filling Mechanism, so for a clear understanding of their operation reference may be made to that application.

In shuttleless looms of this type it is well known that weaving is accomplished in a series of two-pick cycles whereby lengths of filling are inserted in a hairpin formation with each leg placed in a separate warp shed and a fringe edge extending from one side of the material only. With the instant invention the filling is drawn first from one supply for two picks then from the other for two picks continually alternating.

The shaft is positioned generally above and parallel to the path of movement of the yarn carrier 75 and tape 76 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The shaft 70 should be oscillated by the segment gear 68 exactly ninety degrees to move each yarn feeding station from the feeding position indicated at 77 in FIG. 2 upwardly to a non-feeding position. A positioning eyelet 78 (FIG. 4) is movable horizontally when in the feeding position on alternate picks to change the angle of the downwardly drawn loop of filling. Prior to insertion by the carrier the depressor arm 79, in a manner well known in the art, will depress a loop of filling F (FIG. 1) to a generally perpendicular position into path .of the carrier. One leg of the loop of filling will extend to the cutter bracket 72 and the other leg through the friction bracket 71 to the source of yarn supply. The positioning eyelet 78 places each leg of the loop alternately into the path of the carrier so that the loose or cut end of the filling will be drawn into the warp shed from beneath the carrier at each pick.

With the filling mixer device herein disclosed, the insertion of filling in two-pick cycles will be made from two large filling supply packages as for example wound cones C (FIG. 5). The paths followed by the two strands of filling in passing through the friction bracket 71 and the cutter bracket 72 represent feeding stations with each station being alternately oscillated to the feeding position.

In operation the shaft 24 (FIG. 1) with the gear train will drive the cam 33 at a rate of one revolution per four loom picks. The two heights of the cam face are of equal angular extent so that the follower 50 will be held in each position for two picks. Through the linkage attached to the lever 44, the segment gear 68 will oscillate the shaft 70 thereby placing each of the two yarn feeding stations into the feeding position for two picks. The shaft 56 is restrained from overthrow or backlash by the arm 64 being movable only between the adjusting screws 60 and 61 and is urged toward the outside limit of movement by the spring plunger 65 riding down each side of the ridged friction block 66.

Filling F may pass directly from the cones to the friction bracket 71, but as this member is caused to oscillate, the yarn has tended to slacken and if of a lively nature the two may become snarled and cause defective operation. Means for supporting the filling in a manner to keep it separate is shown in FIG. 5. A shield 80 supports a series of pairs of flat spring tension pads 81 each in a position to receive an end of filling drawn through yarn eyes 82 in the shield. The drawing shows four sets of pads which might be used in four-color selection, however, in the mixer device only two sets are used. A face plate 83 is supported in a generally vertical position by a bracket 84. Aperatures 85 and 86 extend through the plate 83 in positions to direct filling strands toward the outer surface of a length of cylindrical tubing 87 horizontally supported by the face plate 83. The tubing 87 extends from the inward side of the plate 83 to a point in close proximity to the friction bracket 71. The strands of filling rest upon the polished surface of the tubing 87 and enter the bracket 71 through openings 88 and 89 which lead to the two yarn feeding stations.

The strands of yarn F are drawn through the apertures 85 and 86 and around the surface of the tubing 87 in a generally parallel helical relationship and will remain in separation during weaving of aternate strands. The face plate 83 and tubing 87 remain stationary while the bracket 71 oscillates with the strands of yarn from the position shown in FIG. 5, in a counterclockwise direction, to a second ninety degree offset position, thereby winding the strands of yarn that much farther around the tubing 87.

The instant invention provides a positive mechanical drive for a filling mixing device which may be easily applied to existing filling controls of shuttleless looms. The

device presents two strands of filling alternately to the loom inserting carrier in a proper position for accurate pickup at a greatly increased speed over that previously feasible.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for alternately presenting lengths of filling drawn from dual outside sources of supply to a filling carrier for inserting into Warp sheds formed in a loom for weaving which comprises, two yarn feeding stations being alternately oscillat-able between a feeding position and non-feeding position, mixer means for oscillating said feeding stations into and out of said feeding position in cooperation with said carrier, a continuously rotating drive means for actuating said mixer means, a gear train with a cam fixed to rotate with a driven gear in said train and a cam follower linkage providing time-d oscillating motion to said mixer means, a lever pivotably fulcrumed at one end with a cam follower rotatably fixed to said lever generally adjacent said one end, and the other end of said lever adjustably secured for reciprocating said mixer means, said lever being bifurcated defining a short oam supporting arm and a long actuating arm, the length of said long arm being greater than double the length of said short arm, said cam follower being rotata'bly supported between said two arms, a mixer shaft rotatably journaled adjacent said yarn feeding stations with a mixer lever fixed to said mixer shaft, driving linkage connecting said mixer lever movably with said drive means, a segment gear fastened for reciprocal movement upon said mixer shaft with a driven gear meshing with said segment gear for oscillating said yarn feeding stations and said mixer lever being generally equal in length to said short cam supporting arm.

2. Mechanism as defined in claim 1 which further includes yarn supporting means for holding in separation a plurality of filling yarns extending between said outside sources and said feeding stations, said supporting means including:

(a) a yarn receiving face plate having a plurality of spaced apertures directed therethrough, and

(b) a smooth surfaced cylindrical member securely fixed to the inward side of said face plate and extending generally horizontally toward said yarn feeding stations,

(0) said apertures being directed longitudinally and outwardly of said cylindrical member.

3. For a filling mechanism in a loom having filling inserting means by which filling yarns from a plurality of outside sources are inserted individually into warp sheds formed in a loom, a stationary yarn supporting means for holding in separation a plurality of filling yarns extending between said outside sources and said filling mechanism, said supporting means including a cylindrical member having a smooth outer surface, said filling yarns being adapted to be drawn in relative parallel formation around said cylindrical member toward said filling mechanism, a yarn receiving face plate having a plurality of spaced apertures directed therethrough, said cylindrical member being securely fixed at one end to said face plate with the other end extending generally horizontally toward said filling mechanism, said apertures being directed longitudinally and outwardly of said cylindrical member.

4. Mechanism as defined in claim 3 which further includes a bracket having a plurality of yarn openings adjacent said other end of said cylindrical member, said bracket being supported oscillatably for placing said openings individually into and out of a yarn feeding position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,783,778 3/1957 Pfarrwaller 139122 2,817,367 12/1957 Pfarrwaller 139122 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,348,241 11/1963 France.

HENRY S. IAUDON, Prima'ry Examiner. 

